Method of reducing organic compounds by means of sodium- aluminum hydrides

ABSTRACT

IN WHICH R1 is an alkyl radical containing up to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl radical containing at least 6 and at most 8 carbon atoms and w and z are integers from 2 to 4, 4. POLYETHER ALCOHOLS HAVING THE FORMULA HO(CH2)2O(CH2)wOR1 in which formula w, z and R1 has the same significance as hereinbefore, and 5. AMINO ALCOHOLS HAVING THE FORMULA R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;N(CH2)zOH in which R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; are each a radical having the same significance as the R1 radical hereinbefore, or an alkoxyalkyl radical having the formula R1O(CH2)z, in which formulae R1 and z have the same significance as hereinbefore.   Various organic compounds are reduced by reaction of the said compounds in solution in an organic solvent at an elevated temperature with a reducing agent that is soluble in the said organic solvent which reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlHxQ4-x in which x is an integer from 1 to 3 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from an alcohol of the group consisting of 1. TETRAHYDROFURFURYL ALCOHOLS, 2. TETRAHYDROPYRANYL ALCOHOLS, 3. ETHER ALCOHOLS HAVING THE FORMULAE

Dec. 3, 1974 METHOD OF REDUCING ORGANIC COMPOUNDS BY MEANS OF SODIUM- ALUMINUM HYDRIDES Inventors: Jaroslav Vit; Bohuslav Casewsky;

Milan Mamula, all of Prague; Jiri Marhacek, Rez, all of Czechoslovakia Assignee: Ceskoslovenska Akademie Ved,

Prague, Czechoslovakia Filed: Jan. 8, 1970 Appl. No.: 7,308

Related Application Data Division of Ser. No. 594,971, Nov. 10, 1966, Pat. No. 3,652,662.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 13, 1965 Czechoslovakia 6771-65 Mar. 26, 1966 Czechoslovakia 2009-66 Mar. 26, 1966 Czechoslovakia 2010-66 [52] US. Cl. 260/205, 260/618 H, 260/638 R, 260/638 A, 260/638 B, 260/448.2 E, 260/676 R, 260/668 R, 260/689, 423/347 [51] Int. Cl C07b 29/00 [58] Field of Search... 260/205, 618 H, 638 R, 260/638 A, 689, 448 AD, 345.9, 347.8, 638 B [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,060,216 10/1962 Hamprecht et a1. 260/448 AD 3,147,272 9/1964 Brown et a1 260/448 AD 3,184,492 5/1965 Cole et a1 260/448 AD 3,394,158 7/1968 Chini et a1. 260/448 R Primary ExaminerLorraine A. Weinberger Assistant Examiner-C. F. Warren [5 7] ABSTRACT Various organic compounds are reduced by reaction of the said compounds in solution in an organic solvent at an elevated temperature with a reducing agent that is soluble in the said organic solvent which reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAIl-I Q in which x is an integer from 1 to 3 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from an alcohol of the group consisting of l. tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohols,

2. tetrahydropyranyl alcohols,

3. ether alcohols having the formulae a .1 (Cl-1 0R HO(CH 0R and noon 1 (CH 0R in which R is an alkyl radical containing up to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl radical containing at least 6 and at most 8 carbon atoms-and w and z are integers from 2 to 4,

4. polyether alcohols having the formula HO(CI-l O(CH OR in which formula w, z and R has the same significance as hereinbefore, and

5. amino alcohols having "the" formula RRN(Cl-l OI-l in which R" and R' are eacha radical having the same significance as the R radical hereinbefore, or an alkoxyalkyl radical having the formula R O(CH in which formulae R and 2 have the same significance as hereinbefore.

16 Claims, N0 Drawings METHOD OF REDUCING ORGANIC COMPOUNDS BY MEANS OF SODIUM- ALUMINUM HYDRIDES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of application Ser. No. 594,971, filed Nov. l0, 1966, which issued as a Pat. No. 3,652,662, entitled Organically Substituted Sodium Aluminum l-lydrides and Method of Making and Using the Same.

The present invention relates to a method of producing substituted aluminum hydrides, to novel substituted aluminum hydrides and to a method of carrying out reductions and a method of utilizing substituted aluminum hydrides as reducing agents and as catalysts.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a method of producing sodium aluminum hydrides which are substituted with organic groups, with novel sodium aluminum hydrides substituted with organic groups, and with a method of carrying out reductions and catalytically favored direct synthesis, utilizing the novel organically substituted aluminum hydrides of the present invention.

Certain organically substituted sodium aluminum hydrides, for instance sodium aluminum ethoxy hydride, methoxy hydride and aryloxy hydrides are known and used as specific reducing agents in organic chemistry. It is possible, for instance, by using these compounds as reducing agents to reduce aldehydes, ketones and organic acid esters and chlorides to alcohols, to reduce nitro-compounds to amines and nitriles to aldehydes. Furthermore, these compounds are useful as halogenating agents.

Various processes have been described for producing these compounds.

One of the difficulties encountered in producing these compounds and also in using the same is that they are only soluble in very few organic solvents, for instance in diethyl ether but not in solvents which are more easily available and less dangerous to handle. Thus, for instance, it is not possible to dissolve the above mentioned organically substituted sodium aluminum hydrides in benzene.

This limited solubility creates difficulties and dangers in the production as well as in the use of these known products.

Some other hydrides for instance decaborane are soluble in non-polar media, however, in such solution these hydrides do not possess any reducing properties.

a non-polar media.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide organically substituted sodium aluminum hydrides which are soluble in certain organic non-polar media such as benzene, toluene and the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of carrying out reducing reactions,

2 utilizing organically substituted sodium aluminum hydrides as the reducing agents, which reactions can be carried out in non polar media.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method for the direct synthesis of sodium aluminum hydrides, particularly sodium aluminum tetrahydride and trisodium aluminum, hexahydride.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a further reading of the description and of the appended claims.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates a method of producing organically substituted sodium aluminum hydrides of the general formula I NaAlH,Z wherein x is an integral number between 1 and 3 inclusive and Z is selected from the group consisting of Q and Y, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of methoxyl, ethoxyl and propoxyl, and wherein Q is an organic radical derived by splitting off an active hydrogen atom from a compound selected from the group consisting of:

l. tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohols,

2. tetrahydropyranyl alcohols,

3. ether alcohols of the type obtainable by alkylating one hydroxyl group in diols or two hydroxyl groups in triols.

4. polyether alcohols of the type obtainable by dehydration of ether alcohols and diols or by dehydration of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohols and diols, or by dehydration tetrahydropyranyl of alcohols and di- 01$,

5. the compounds of groups (1) (4), wherein at least one oxygen atom is replaced by a sulphur atom,

6. an amino alcohol of the general formula R"R'N (CH Ol-l, wherein R" and R are each selected from the group consisting of alkoxyalkyl of the formula RO(CH and R, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl with 1-4 carbon atoms and aryl with 6-8 carbon atoms, and wherein z is an integral number between 2 and 4 inclusive, comprising the step of reacting at least one substance selected from the group consisting of Na- All-l and NaAlH, with a compound of the general formula AlZ wherein Z has the same meaning as defined above.

The term propoxyl is meant to denote not only normal propoxyl but also isopropoxyl.

Na AlH may be prepared for instance by the method described in Czechoslovak Pat. No. 117768.

Compounds of the general formula AlZ and also of the general formula NaZ which may be also used as a supplementary reactant as will be described in detail further hereinafter, may be prepared by the reaction of the respective alcohol with the metal, i.e, with sodium or aluminum, or with the respective hydride, i.e sodium hydride or aluminum hydride. There is no difficulty involved in preparing the thioalkoxy, dialkylamino and alkylamino substituted derivatives. In the case of the preparation of the thioalcoholates of the type NaZ and AlZ however, it is recommended to start from the more reactive hydrides NaH and All-l instead of the metals. The reactions, generally, may be carried out in liquid media such as hydrocarbons, ethers (diethylether, monoglyme, which is 1,2-

3 dimethoxyethane and, tetrahydrofurane) using an excess on the ZH compounds.

The thus formed NaZ compounds are insoluble in the reaction medium and thus will be formed as a suspension.

Prior to being used in the above described process of the present invention which may be carried out for instance as described in equations 7l3 and l-l9 hereinafter, the N212 compounds must be separated from the suspension preferably by filtration and subsequent drying. The thus obtained dry product may be used directly as a starting material for the method of the present invention. It does not require any further purification. The impurities which might be present such as metallic sodium do not interfere with the reaction since these impurities are insoluble in the reaction medium, whereas the finished products obtained by the method of the present invention will be soluble in the respective reaction medium. However, if the compound of the type NaZ has been made by using Nal-l as starting material and therefore the thus produced NaZ may contain residual NaH it might be desirable in certain cases to increase in the method according to the present invention the amount of the sodium aluminum hydride and of A12 above the theoretically required amount.

The complex alcoholates of the type NaZ.AlZ are generally easily soluble in ethers and the NaQ.AlQ alcoholates even in aromatic hydrocarbons. Thus, they may be easily prepared according to the equations given above under the same conditions as when starting from simple alcoholates of the type NaZ+AlZ The method of the present invention may be carried out in accordance with the following equations:

In a similar manner complex compounds of the general formula NaZ.AlZ may be used instead of A12 for instance in accordance with the equations 15-19 further hereinafter.

It is generally known that sodium alcoholates and aluminum alcoholates react to yield complex alchololates according to the following equation:

wherein X is an alkyl or an aryl. The only condition for The preparation of alcoholates, aminoalcoholates,

and thioalcoholates of the type AlQ is equally simple. Conventional methods may be used in the preparation of all derivatives, starting from the aluminum or aluminum S-Al and the respective alcohol, aminoalcohol or thioalcohol of the formula OH, the latter being easily removed from the product AlQ when stripping off the solvent; subsequently, the product AlQ is dried in vacuo. Theabove sodium aluminum hydrides, substituted according to this invention are all soluble in hydrocarbons and ethers; thus unaltered aluminum or aluminum hydride can be asily removed by filtration prior to the actual isolation of the final product. The

' thioalkoxy-derivatives, however, having a S-Al bond in their molecule, are distinguished by somewhat lower solubility.

Another very advantageous method of producing aluminum alcoholates and thioalcoholates of the type A10 is based on the following equilibrium reaction:

it is advisable to use an excess on OH and to carry out the reaction under simultaneous removal of CH OH (or ROH), the boiling point of which must be lower than that of OH, which usually will be the case. The stripping off of the CH OH ROH)m ay be conveniently carried out by using a rectification column.

The starting aluminum alcoholates to carry out the reaction are easilyacc es'sible in a pure state, even on an industrial scale. To start from AI(OCH seems to be most advantageous since the same is insoluble, e.g., in hydrocarbons, thus facilitating the separation of any unaltered portion thereof from the reaction mixture. The product A10 may be isolated by simply stripping off the solvent and the excess ofQH. v g

The starting compound of the type NaZ.AlZ may be prepared by the reactions accounted for as follows:

carrying out this reaction is that of solubility. Al(OX) and the product NaAl NaAl(OX) must be soluble in the solvents used. The alcoholates of the type M0 and NaQ.AlQ are generally more easily soluble in ethers and in aromatic hydrocarbons than the alcoholates of the type Na(OX).Al(OX)- wherein X is the same as mentioned hereinbefore and they always result as an intermedial product of the reactions 7 to 13. if the complex alcoholates of the type NaZAlz are used as the starting product according to our invention the respective reactions are accounted for by the following equations:

The liquid reaction medium on which the above described reactions of the present invention are carried out is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and ethers which at atmospheric pres sure have a boiling point lower than the decomposition temperature of the substituted sodium aluminum hydride which is to be produced.

One suitable manner of carrying out the reaction is under reflux at substantially the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture. The liquid reaction medium preferred is benzene or toluene but, however, any of the liquid reaction media described above may be used.

The novel hydrides of the present invention are compounds of the general formula:

NaAlH Q X wherein x stands for an integral number between 1 and 3 inclusive, and wherein Q is an organic radical derived by splitting off an active bydrogen atom from one of the following compounds in which at has the same meaning as hereinbefore:

l. tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohols, so as to form, for instance,

2. tetrahydropyranyl alcohols, so as to form, for instance,

N8A1Hx 0 Gilli 4-x 3. ether alcohols formed for instance by alkylating one hydroxyl group in diols so as to form, for instance, NaAlH [O(CH OR'4 or two hydroxyl groups in triols, so as to form, for instance,

M-R NaA1HX[0 GH/ 1 )wl 4-1 wherein R is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl with 1-4 carbon atoms and aryl with 6-8 carbon atoms, and z and w are each an integral number between 2-4 inclusive, and z and w may be the same or different.

4. polyether alcohols obtained by dehydration of ether alcohols and diols, so as to form NaAlH, [O(CH O(CH .OR'] wherein R has the same meaning as hereinbefore and w and z are each integral numbers between 2 and 4 inclusive. 5. polyether alcohols obtained by dehydration of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohols and diols, so as to form wherein z has the same meaning as hereinbefore.

6. polyether alcohols obtained by the dehydration of tetrahydropyranyl alcohols and diols, so as to form wherein 1 has the same meaning as hereinbefore.

7. any of the compounds described in numbered paragraphs 1-6 hereinbefore, in which one or more or all oxygen atoms are replaced by sulphur atoms, so as to form NaAlH,[S(CH SR] or NaAlI-l,[S(CH2)zOR]4 x, or NaAlH [O(CH SR] wherein R is alkoxyalkyl of the formula RO(CH;,) or R, and wherein R has the same meaning as hereinbefore,

an amino alcohol of the general formula R"R"N(CH OH, wherein R" and R'" each have the same meaning as R and R and R" may be identical or different, so as to form NaAll-L. [O(CH NR"R"'] wherein z, R" and R'" have the same meaning as hereinbefore.

The sulphur-containing, compounds including the organic radical described as Q hereinbefore may be such that all oxygen atoms are replaced by sulphur or may contain sulphur as well as oxygen atoms.

Groups of compounds which fall within the scope of the present invention include:

NaAlH, OCI-h-i 0 NaAlHx 001110 ocmi mmmvcmfi NaAlHa '7 )Gliibfii NaAlHa 0 CE CHZO CH3 CH: CH NaAlHz 0 CE CHIOCHJ z NaAlH OCHIL Y L 0 3 NaAlH 001x O 3 It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a method of producing at least one sodium aluminum hydride selected from the group consisting of NaAll l and Na AlH comprising the step of reacting metallic sodium and metallic aluminum with hydrogen preferably at an elevated hydrogen gas pressure and at an elevated temperature in the presence of a substituted sodium aluminum hydride as defined herein before.

According to a further variation, the present invention is also concerned with carrying out reducing and dehalogenizing reactions by reducing reducible organic compound in the presence of an organically substituted sodium aluminum hydride as described herein. The organic compound may for instance be an aldehyde, ketone, ester, carboxylic acid, halide of a carboxylic acid, dialkyl amides, diaryl amides and aromatic nitro compound, or a halide which may be an organic or inorganic monoor polyhalide including substituted halides such as silicon alkyl or aryl halides for instance of the general formula R SiX wherein R is alkyl or aryl and X is a halogen.

The substituted sodium aluminum hydrides of the present invention may thus be used as reducing agents soluble in non-polar media and as catalysts for the direct synthesis of complex sodium aluminum hydrides from free elements. i.e.-, from sodium, aluminum and hydrogen.

These substituted complex. sodium aluminum hydrides will reduce in non-polar media, e.g., in benzene,

the derivatives of organic acids, ketones and aldehydes to alcohols in the same way and to the same extent as it would be possible with non-substituted complex aluminum'hydrides in ethers. 1n contradistinction to the propertiesof the known complex aluminum hydrides, they willeven dehalogenate the alkyl and aryl halides, and they will reduce the nitro derivatives to amcompounds. All the aforementioned reactions will proceed in ethers as well as in non-polar media.

The following examples are given as illustrative with out, however, limiting the invention to the specific details of the examples.

EXAMPLE I An apparatus as described hereinafter in Example 11 was charged with 2.1 g of an solution of Na AlH (0.0164 mol) and 50 ml of benzene. The mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of 8.27 g of Al- (OCH CH OCH [0.0328 mol]dissolved in 10 ml of benzene. The reaction mixture was kept boiling under stirring for an additonal 30 minutes. Upon subsequent filtration and evaporation of the solvent, 9.36 gram of NaAl1-i (OCH CH OCH was obtained; i.e., 94.1% of the theory.

The starting compound A[OCH2CH2OCH3]3 was prepared by the following reaction: Al(OC1-l +3C- H OCH CH OH AI[OCH CH OCH +3CH OH. the above reaction was carried out with a 160% excess of CH OCH CH OH. (Instead of using an excess of CH OCH CH OH, the theoretically required amount may be used and the excess of this compound replaced with another solvent, preferably benzene or toluene.) The methyl alcohol evolved was distilled off from the reaction mixture during the reaction, using a rectification column. Subsequently to stripping off the methyl alcohol, the excess of CH OCH CH OH was stripped off under vacuum. The product of the reaction is a liquid highly viscous compound of the formula Al- (OCH CH OCH intermiscible with benzene, toluene, and ethers in any ratio.

EXAMPLE ii Into a three-necked round-bottomed flask of 100 ml volume, provided with a stirrer, a reflux watercondenser and dropping funnel, was charged 1.7 g of Na AH-1 of purity (the remaining 15% consisting of aluminum and silicon), and 35 ml of tetrahydrofurane was added. The mixture was heated to boiling and a solution of 8.26 g Al[O.CH Cl-l N(CH in 1.5 ml tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise under stirring. The heating was discontinued after 45 minutes and the mixture was cooled to 15C. Subsequent to filtration, the tetrahydrofuran was stripped off from the filtrate, and the thus obtained residue was dried at C. at a pressure of 0.1 mm Hg; 9.1 g of a compound of the formula NaAlH [O.Cl-l CH N(CH was obtained, i.e., 93.5% of the theory according to equation 8. The (Cl-l NCH CH OH required for preparation of Al- [OCH CH N(CH was prepared by, a reaction which is well known in the methylation of primary amines to convert the latter into tertiary amines, starting with H NCH CH OH, formaldehyde and formic acid. The starting AI[OCH CH N(CH was prepared from aluminum methylate in a manner similar to that described in Example I, with respect to the preparation of Al(OCH CH OCl-l EXAMPLE [1! Into a 250 ml flask provided with a reflux condenser, a stirrer, and a dropping funnel, 7.35, g of Na AlH and 1 1.86 g of Al[OCH CH N(CH was charged and 85 ml tetrahydrofuran added. The mixture was heated to boiling under reflux, and a solution of 2.72 g AlCl in 25 ml tetrahydrofuran added dropwise within a period of 30 minutes. Subsequently, the mixture was heated under reflux for an additional 45 minutes, cooled to 20C. and filtered. The tetrahydrofuran was stripped off from the filtrate and the distillation residue was dried at 100C. and 0.1 mm Hg; 15.84 g of NaAll-l- OCl-l Cll N(CH was obtained, i.e., 91.6% of the theoretical yield.

EXAMPLE IV Into a 2.51 pressure vessel, 46 g of sodium (2 moles), 32.9 g of aluminum powder of 82% purity (the balance up to 100% consisting of aluminum oxide), 50.5 g of NaAlH (OCl-l CH OCH [0.25 mol), and 500 ml of benzene was added and a stirring bar inserted into the pressure vessel for stirring of the reaction mixture. l-lydrogen was fed into the vessel to establish a pressure of 100 atmospheres. The reaction was then carried out at a temperature of 170C. for a period of 3 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the solid residue extracted with benzene; 55.4 g of solid Na AlH was obtained of 88.5% purity, i.e., 96.1% of the theory. The benzene flltrete contained dissolved sodium aluminum alkoxyhydrides which were used as catalyst in the following synthesis.

The direct synthesis of both sodium aluminum hydrides NaAlH and Na All-l proceeds similarly even if other compounds of the type NaAlH Q e.g., NaAlH[O(CH OCH NaAll-l [O(Cl-l O(CH or l\laAlH [O(Cl-l N(Cl'l are used as a catalyst; the sulphur compounds, however, being less suitable than the other compounds of the formula NaAlH Q The pressure of hydrogen applied may be in a very broad range from 2 to 200 atmospheres. At pressures lower than 2 atmospheres, however, the reaction is too slow; increasing the pressure above 200 atmospheres does not influence the reaction rate substantially, thus a further increasing of the pressure above 200 atmospheres is not practical. The quantity of the catalyst applied can vary in the range of 0.5 to 100% in respect to the amount of sodium and aluminum used. In the specific Example 1V, about 50% of the catalyst was used.

Smaller amounts of the catalyst below 0.5% result in decreasing of the reaction rate.

Using a greater amount of catalysts is of no inconvenience as the catalyst may easily be recycled.

It is advisable to grind the reaction mixture thoroughly prior to the actual synthesis.

EXAMPLE V Into a l-liter three-necked vessel, provided with a stirrer, a water cooler, and dropping funnel were charged: 2.75 g NaAlH [98.2%], 200 ml benzene, and

The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 21.9 g

in 50 ml of benzene, within a period of 30 minutes, and the reaction mixture was refluxed for an additional 4 hours. Subsequently to cooling to 15C. and to filtration, the filtration cake was washed with benzene. Benzene was stripped off from the collected filtrates and the distillation residue was dried at C. and 0.1 mm Hg. The yield was 32 g of which corresponds to 98.16% of the theory.

The starting compound of the formula Q-oomcmon was prepared in toluene by the well known reaction accounted for by the following equations HooH,oH,o- NaCl.

The starting was prepared from aluminum methylate by reactions similar to those described in Example 1. The alcoholate mocmcmoC} was prepared in a refluxing mixture of toluene, sodium hydride and Q-o cniomou in a 20% excess. The toluene and the excessive ether alcohol were stripped off in vacuo and the remaining portions of the said compounds were distilled off at 0.05 mm Hg and C.

EXAMPLE VI The same apparatus as in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlH [91.1%], 500 ml benzene, and 26.1 g

The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 120 g in 200 ml benzene within a period of 30 minutes. The reaction mixture upon treatment as described in Example V yielded 147.2 g

NaAlHl: 001mm eta-@J 3 i.e., 97.36% of the theory.

To prepare NaO omcmoom and A1[ 0 onion, oom 3 use was made of the same methods as described in Example V.

EXAMPLE VII The same apparatus as in Example V was charged with 2.75 g NaAlH [98.2%], 2.5 g NaH [96.0%] and 150 ml toluene. The reaction mixture was refluxed uner dropwise addition of a solution of 29.4 g Al- (OCH CH CH OCHQ in 50 ml toluene within a period of 45 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture in the manner described in Example V, 34.0 g of NaAlH (OCH CH CH OCH was obtained, corresponding to 98.57% of theoretical yield.

The necessary CH OCH CH Ch OH required for preparation of Al(OCH Cl-l Ch OCl-l was prepared by the methylation of one hydroxyl group in 1,3- propanediol, using sodium hydride and (CH O) SO The latter reaction was carried out in boiling toluene. The starting Al[OCH CH CH OCl-I was prepared from aluminum methylate in the same manner as described in Example 1.

EXAMPLE Vlll Into the same apparatus as described in Example V, were charged: 2.75 g of NaAlH, [98.2%], 26.1 g of fluxed under simultaneous dropwise addition of a solution of 72 g in 150 ml benzene, within a period of 45 minutes.

Treatment of the reaction mixture in a manner similar to that described in Example V gave 99.51 g

EXAMPLE [X The apparatus described in Example V was charged with 2.75 g NaAlH [98.2%], 2.07

and 100 ml tetrahydofuran. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 5.5 g

in 20 m1 tetrahydofuran within a period of 45 minutes. Upon further proceeding as described in Example V, 9.85 g of was obtained, i.e., 96.01% of the theoretical yield.

The two starting alcoholates of this example were prepared from by the method given in Example V for lCHiONG I and in Example I for V t ill EXAMPLE X The same apparatus as in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlH [91.1%] and 250 ml benzene. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 38.4 g Al(OCH CH OCH CH OCl-l in ml benzene. Further treating of the reaction mixture as described in Example V yielded 42 g NaAlH (OCH CH OCH CH OCHQ which corresponds to 96.56% of the theory.

The alcoholate Al(OCH CH OCH CH OCH was prepared from CH OCl-l CH OCl-l CH OH by the method described in Example 1.

EXAMPLE XI Into the same apparatus as used according to Example V, were charged: 2.75 g NaAlH, and 100 ml benzene. The reaction mixturre was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 41.5 g

NaA1( ocmomoomcmcmo-Q) in 150 ml benzene. The same treatment of the reaction mixture as in Example V gave 43.2 g

NaA1H1(ocrncmocmcmcmoQ) which is 97.74% of the theory.

The

oomomcmoomcmon required for preparation of NaA1 ocmcmocmomcmo-) was prepared in the following manner: The sodium phenolate was alkylated in boiling toluene with HOCl-l Cl-l Cl-l Cl;

@o'cmcmcmon @o CHQCHZCHZO 0112011203.

The starting complex alcoholate was prepared in the apparatus described in Example V with the following equation:

The alcohol was a 5% solution of sodium aluminum tetrahydride in tetrahydrofurane in the stoichiometrically required amount.

The reaction proceeded quantitatively under considerable evolution of heat and of hydrogen. After the evolution of hydrogen had stopped, tetrahydofuran was distilled off and the product stripped off from the residues of tetrahydofuran at 0.1 mm Hg and C.

EXAMPLE XII The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na All-l (9 l 1%), 27.6 g Na[O(Cl-l O(CH -OCl-l Cl-1 and 600 ml benzene. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 127.6 g Al[O(CH O(CH OCH CH in 250 ml within 45 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example V, 154.0 g of NaAll-l[O(CH O(CH OCH CH was obtained, which corresponds to 96.13% of the theoretical yield.

The alcohol of the formula C H O(CH O(CH Ol-l that was required for preparation of the starting alcoholate was prepared from 1,4-butanediol by converting one of the 'hydroxyl groups into alcoholate by reaction with sodium hydride in boiling toluene and subsequent alkylation with C H Br. The product obtained, i.e., C l-l O(CH Ol-l was reconverted into the alcoholate form by reaction with sodium hydride in boiling toluene with C l-l O(CH ONa subsequently alkylated with CICH CH OH, giving C H O(CH )4O(CH2)2OH- The starting alcoholate of the formula Al[O(CH O(CH OC H was prepared from aluminum methylate and C H O(CH) O(CH OH in the same manner as described in Example 1. The compound of the formula NaO(Cl-l O(CH OC l-l was prepared by the reaction of sodium hydride with C H O(CH O(CH OH in the same manner as described in Example V.

EXAMPLE Xlll Al\:0 (CH2) zo CHrL O a in 100 ml toluene fUpon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example V, 50 g of was obtained, i.e., 97.4% of the theory.

The

LOLCI'HO (CH2)20H required for preparation of was prepared from and NaOCl-l CH Ol-I in boiling toluene by themethod described in Example V. The starting was prepared by the method described in Example 1.

EXAMPLE XIV The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlH (9l.l%) and 250 ml tetrahydrofurane. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 22.3 g Al- [OC H N(C l-l in 80 ml tetrahydofuran for a period of 45 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example v, 26.7l gNaAlH [OC H.,(C H was obtained, i.e., 97.3% of the thecry.

The starting alcoholate Al[OCH CH N(C l-l was prepared y from aluminum methylate and (C H NCH CH OH by the method of Example'l.

EXAMPLE XV The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na ALl-l (9l.1%), 19.2 g Na- [O(CH SC H and 450 ml toluene. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 85.5 g Al[O(Cl-l SC l-l in 150 ml toluene within a period of 40 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example V, 106 g NaAlH-[O(Cl-l SC l-I was obtained, i.e., 96.54% of the theoretical yield.

For preparation of the starting reactants, first a thioether alcohol was prepared from HOCH CH Br and C H SNa in boiling xylene. The C H -SCH CH OH obtained was converted into its sodium alcoholate NaOCl-l Cl-l SC H by the method of Example V and into its respective aluminate Al(OCH CH SC H by the method described in Example 1.

EXAMPLE XVI The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na All-l (9l.l%) and 350 ml 'benzene. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 59.5 g

NaA1H2[O cmnscm-L All: 0 (GHQ) 48 CHQU] first the compound of the formula l 0 LCHzS (CH2)40H was prepared from by conversion of the latter into using sodium hydride in boiling toluene. The subsequent operation was alkylation of the mercaptide formed, i.e., of the mercaptide l O LCHzMCHahOH was converted into sodium alcoholate l Lcmswmnom by the method of Example 1.

EXAMPLE XVll The sameapparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlH (91.l%) and 250 ml toluene. Under refluxing the reaction mixture, 34.2 g Al[S C fi;O CT-I] dissolved in 166ml tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise over a period of 45 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example V, 38.6 g NaAlH [SC H OC H was obtained, i.e., 98.22% of the theory.

The required mercaptan C H OC I-LSH was prepared by conventional synthetic methods from CH Cl-l OCH Cl-l Cl via a thiuronium salt. The aluminum mercaptide was prepared from the mercaptun obtained by the reaction with aluminum hydride in tetrahydofuran in a solution containing stoichiometric ratios of the reactants.

AlH +3C HOC2H SH Al[SC H.,OC H.-,l3+3I-l2 The solution obtained was subsequently analyzed and, upon adjustment of concentration, used directly in the above preparation of NaAlH [SC H OC H EXAMPLE XVIII The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlI-I (9l.1%)- and 250 ml benzene. Under refluxing of the reaction mixture 34.8 g Al[SC I-l SCH dissolved in 100 ml tetrahydofuran was added dropwise over a period of 45 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example V, 38 g NaAlH [SC I-I SCH was obtained, i.e., 95.24% of the theory.

The mercaptan CH SCH CH SI-I was prepared by onysatism l th a iqn. .9? 9 H- up....in HSCH Ch CH. The HSCH CH2 SH was converted to HSCH CH SNa by the reaction with sodium hydride in boiling toluene and the mercaptide was subsequently treated under reflux with (CH O)2SO added in a molar ratio of 1:1. The aluminum mercaptide was prepared in the same way as described in Example XVII. EXAMPLE XIX The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlH (9l.1%) and 150 ml tetrahydofuran. Under refluxing of the reaction mixture, 50.7 g Al[SC I-l N-l-CH (C d-I9 dissolved in 250 ml tetrahydofuran was added dropwise over a period of 45 minutes. Upon treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example V, 53.79 g of NaAIH [SC H N(C H was obtained, i.e., 96.41% of the theory.

The amino mercaptan required was prepared from (C H NCH CI-I Cl via the thiuronium salt. The

(C- H NCH CH SH thus obtained was used in the preparation of Al[SCl-I CH N(C I-l from aluminum hydride and tetrahydofuran in the same manner as described in Example XVII.

EXAMPLE XX The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 5.6 g Na AlH (91.1%), and 100 ml tetrahydofuran. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of a solution of 144.4 g NaAl(SC,H,,SC H in 500 ml tetrahydofuran. Upon treatment of the reaction mixtures described in Example V, 145 g NaAlH(SC l-I SC H was obtained, i.e., 97.06% of the theory.

The necessary mercaptan was prepared from BrCH CH CH Cl-l Br by substitution of the bromine atoms with SH groups via thiuronium salt. The SH(CH SI-I thus obtained was converted into its sodium salt by reaction with sodium hydride in boiling toluene; the salt was alkylated with ethyl bromide also in toluene. The C H S(CI-I SH thus obtained was used in the preparation of the complex mercaptide starting from sodium aluminum tetrahydride. The reaction was carried out in tetrahydrofuran under reflux with theoretical amounts of the reactants'according to the following equation:

The thus prepared solution was used directly (subsequent to analysis and adjustment of the concentration) in the preparation of the respective organically substituted sodium aluminum hydride of this example.

EXAMPLE XXI nium salt. By the procedure described in the Example XIX, the compound (CH NC I-I SH was converted into the aluminum mercaptide AI[SC H N(CH EXAMPLE XXII The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 63 g NaAIH[OC I-I (CI-I and 250 ml benzene. The reaction mixture was refluxed under dropwise addition of 14 g benzoyl chloride for 30 minutes; subsequently, 50 ml benzene was added and the reaction mixture was refluxed for additional 2 hours and, subsequent to cooling, hydrolysis, and addition of HCI, 9.75 g of benzyl alcohol was isolated, i.e., 90.16% of the theory.

EXAMPLE XXIII The same apparatus as described in Example V was charged with 55.2 g NaAlH[OCI-I CI-I OCI-I and 200 ml benzene. The reaction mixture was refluxed under addition of 15 g ethyl benzoate with 50 ml benzene for a period of 30 minutes. After an additional 2 hours of refluxing, the mixture was cooled, and hydrolysis and isolation yielded 8.76 g benzyl alcohol, i.e., 81% of the theory.

In a similar manner, the followikng compounds were reduced under substantially the same reaction conditions, and with the same solvents, molar concentrations and molar ratios of the reactants:

Starting Compound Product Reaction time Yield tn hours (CH CO) O c HgoH 2 91 .2 71 n-C H- COOC l-l C,H OH 2 89.0% C,H CON(CH;,) C H OH 4 62.8%

The procedure, however, is not limited to the use of the compounds given above. Under the same conditions any other compound of the type NaAlI'I Q may be used as for example NaAII-I (OCI-I C- 2 s)2,

To reduce l g mol of a compound containing one single carbonyl group (-CH-O or CO) into the respective alcohol the theoretically necessary amount of NaAlH is equal to. I .grammole of NaAII-I Q., to reduce one gram mole of a compound containing one single carboxyl group in the molecule the amount necessary of the compound l laAlH Q4 is equal to 2 grammole of NaAll-I Q X in SO ml benzene was added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes. By the method of Example V, 39.8 g of NaAIHz mg was obtained, which corresponds to 94% of the theory. 7

The starting was prepared by reacting aluminum methylate with a solution of lcmon in toluene as a solvent, in which solution toluene and icmon were present in a ratio of 1:]; the said was used in an excess which corresponds to 150% of the theoretical amount needed. As described in Exam ple I, methyl alcohol was stripped off from the reaction mixture in a rectification column; subsequently,,toluene was stripped off at atmospheric pressure and, finally, the excess of was stripped off in a partial vacuum at a temperature .of up to 150C. The product was a non-distillable,

highly viscous matter, intermiscible with benzene, toluene, and ethers in any ratio.

EXAMPLE xxv In the same apparatus as in Example V, a suspension of 5.6 g trisodium aluminum hexahydride of 91.1% purity in 250 ml benzene was prepared. The suspension was refluxed and a solution of 33.3 g Alformaldehyde [OCH CH CH N(CH in 80 ml benzene added during a period of minutes. In the same manner as described in Example V, 36.7 g of NaAlI-I IOCH CH N(CH was obtained.

To prepare the starting reactant first (CH NCH CH CH OH had to be prepared from HOCI-I CH CI-I NH by the conventional reaction with and formic acid; Al- {OCH CH CH N(CH was then prepared from (CI-I NCI-I CI-I CH OH in the same manner as described in Example XXIV. The former compound is a highly viscous non-distillable liquid, intermiscible with benzene, toluene and ethers in any ratio.

EXAMPLE XXVI In the apparatus described in Example V, a suspension of 5.6 g trisodium aluminum hexahydride of 91.1% purity in 250 ml of benzene was prepared. The suspension was refluxed and a solution of 55.5 g Al[- .(OCI-l CI-I N(CH OCI-I in ml benzene was added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes. In the same manner as described in Example V, 59.4 g of Na- Nas Obtained, i.e., 94.7% of the theory.

To prepare the starting reactant, first (CH OCH CI-I NCH CH OH had to be prepared according to the following equations:

N(CI-I CH OH) +NaH NaOCH CH N(CI-I C- HgoH )2+NaH+H2 NaOCI-I CH N(CI-I CH OH) +NaI-I+2(CI-I O) SO To a refluxing suspension of sodium hydride in xylene (200 ml of xylene per 1 gram mol sodium hydride), Na(CI-I CH OI-I) was added dropwise under stirring, and heating was prolonged until evolution of hydrogen had substantially stopped. Subsequently, (CH O)2SO2 was added under the same conditions, and the refluxing was resumed and continued until theevolution of hydrogen terminated. The mixture was allowed to cool and ml of a 60% water solution of potassium hydroxide added per one gram mol of (CH O) SO2 used. Then, the reaction mixture was filtered, the solid phase washed with xylene and from the xylene solutions HOCH CH N- (CH2CH OCH was extracted with water, neutralized and slightly acidified with hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloride obtained was isolated by evaporation of water in vacuo, and the base was set free-by addition of a 70% water solution of potassium hydroxide which was added in a slight excess not higher than 10% over the theoretically required amount. The mixture was stirred with diethyl ether and the precipitated potassium chloride was filtered off. The product (CH OCH CH NCH CH OH was obtained from the ethereal solution by distillation and converted into its aluminate in the same manner as described in Examples I and XXIV.

EXAMPLE xxvn In the apparatus described in Example V, a suspension of 5.6 g of Na AIH of 91.1% purity was prepared in 250 ml benzene. The suspension was refluxed, and a solution of 72.3 g AlloCl-l Cl-l N (CH CH CH CH OCH in I20 ml benzene added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes. In the same way as described in Example V, 72.l g of NaAIH- EXAMPLE XXVIII In the apparatus described in Example V, a suspension of 5.6 g of trisodium aluminum hexahydride (0.05 mol) of 91.1% purity was prepared in 250 ml benzene. The suspension was refluxed and a solution of 38.4 g of AI[OCH(CH OCH in 80 ml benzene was added over a period of 30 minutes. In the same manner as described in Example V, 55.6 g of NaAlH [OCH (CI-I OCH was obtained, which corresponds to 95% of the theory. 7

The starting (CI-l OCH CI-IOH was prepared from glycerol by methylation of two hydroxyl groups by reaction with sodium hydride and (CI-I O) SO in a similar manner as described in Example XXVI. The ether alcohol obtained was used in the reaction with alumi- 22 EXAMPLES xxx to XL In the apparatus described in Example v, and under the same conditions as described therein, further compounds of the formula NaAlH- were synthetized according to the equation 20. NaAIH +3NaQI-3AIQ 4NaAlHQ wherein the different radicals Q are defined in the Table 1 hereinafter.

In the apparatus described in Example V, a suspension was prepared of 2.75 g of sodium aluminum tetrahydride (0.05 mol) of a 98.2% purity and of 0.15 mol alcoholate of the type NaQ wherein 0 again has the several meanings listed in the Table hereinafter. The reaction medium was 200 ml benzene. The reaction mixture was refluxed at ambient pressure and a solution of 1.15 mol of AIQ in 100 ml benzene was added dropwise within a period of minutes. The reaction mixture was refluxed for an additional 4 hours. Upon cooling to 15C., the clear solution was filtered off and the solid residue containing mostly starting materials and impurities was washed with benzene stripped off from the filtrate. From the clear solution obtained benzene was distilled 011' and the collected product was dried in vacuo at 100C. and 0.1 mm Hg.

The yields in gram and percent obtained with respect to the different specific reactants of Examples XXX to XL are also indicated in Table l.

TABLE 1 Starting compounds Product.

NnAlIIi NnQ AlQa NflAlHQs Yield, Example In g. Q, in g. in g. in g. percent 1 2. CHaOKCHz) :O 14. 7 37.8 52.1 96. 5 2. 75 021150 (CH2) a0 16. 8 44.1 59. 8 94. 1 2. 75 CIIZO (CH2):sO- 16. 8 44.1 60. 4 95.0 2. 75 CzH5O (CH2)aO- 18. 9 50. 4 68. 5 95. 1

XXXV 2. 75 20. 7 55. 8 74. 4 94. 4

OJCH2O 2. 75 (CH3) 2N (CH2) 2O 16. 7 43. 7 60. 5 96. 1 2. 75 (02115) N (CH?) 2O 20. 9 56. 3 64. 9 95. 7 2. 75 (CH3OCH2CH2)2N (CH2)2O- 22. 4 60. 8 61. 2 94. 6 2.75 (CH3OCII2)2OHO 21. 3 57.6 78. 3 96.1 2. 75 21. 3 57. 6 76. 1 93. 2

num methoxide to prepare the starting Al[OCI-l(C- H OCH L, in the manner described in Example V.

- EXAMPLE XXIX 1n the apparatus described in Example V, a suspension was prepared of 5.6 trisodium aluminum hexahydride of a 91.9% purity in 200 ml tetrahydofuran. Under the conditions described in Example V, a solution of 20.4 g of (n-C H O) Al in 200 ml tetrahydofu- 5 Table 2 hereinafterran was added. Identical procedureas described in Example V afforded 24.1 g of NaAlH [O(n-C H i.e., 94.3% of the theory.

EXAMPLES xu TO XLIII In the apparatus described in Example V, and under the same conditions as described in Examples XXX to XL, further compounds of the formular NaAIH Q were synthesized according to the equation:

21. 3NaAlHzQ2 wherein the different radicals Q are defined in the The starting materials used were throughout all the Examples 5.6 g of Na AlH [0.05 mol) of 91.1% purity in 250 ml benzene and 0.1 mol A10 in ml benzene.

The yields in grams and percent obtained with respect to the different specific reactants of Examples XLl to XLlll are also indicated in Table 2.

TABLE 2 As to the catalyst used and as to the amount of the latter-applied conditions were maintained as described in Example IV. The optimum temperature range lies Starting compounds Product NaaAlHa AlQ; NaAlH2Q2 Yield, Example in g. Q in g. in g. percent XLI 5. 6 C2H50(CH2)20 29. 4 32. 7 94. 7 XLII 5. 6 C2H O(CH2)aO 33. 6 36. 9 95. 3

XLIII 33. 0 35. 4 93. 0

J'CH20 O EXAMPLES XLlV to L11 1n the apparatus described in Example V. and under the same conditions as described in Examples V and The yields in gram and percent obtained with respect to the different specific reactants of Examples XLlV to Lll are also indicated in Table 3.

between land 170C. At temperatures below 150 the reaction is too slow or it does not proceed at all. At temperatures above 170C trisodium aluminum hexahydride is obtained as a byproduct. It is also possible to work with stoichiometric amounts of sodium and aluminum; an excess of aluminum, however, is more advantageous (from 10 to 50%) so as to avoid excessive formation of trisodium aluminum hexahydride.

EXAMPLE LIV 1n the apparatus described in Example V, a solution of 13.4 g of pCl-l C H NO in ml benzene was added dropwise within a period of 30 minutes to a refluxing solution of 40.4 g of NaAlH [O(Cl-l OCH (0.2 mol) in 200 ml benzene. The mixture was refluxed for one additional hour and, subsequently to cooling to 20C., 200 ml water was added and the TABLE 3 Starting compounds Product, NaAlHi NaQ AlQs NaAlHaQ, Yield Example 1n g. Q in g. in g. in g. percent XLIV 8. 25 CHaO (CH2) 20 4. 9 12. 6 25. 1 98. 1 XLV 8. 25 0 1150 (CH2) 2O 5. 6 14. 7 27. 1 95. 4 XLVI 8.25 Cl'l:O(CH2)s0 5.5 14.7 26.8 94.2 XLYII" 8.25 1150 (CH2)30 5.2 16.8 29.0 93. 0

XLVIII 8. 25 I 6. 9 18. 6 31. 9 115. 1

LO CH20 8. 25 (Cg-H5) 2N (CH2) 2() 6. 9 18. 8 32. 4 95. 9 8. 25 (CHsOCHZCHZ) 2N (CH2) 2O 7. 5 20. 2 34. 0 95. 1 8. 25 (CHQOCHZ) 2CH O 7. 1 19. 2 33. 0 96. 0 8. 25 (CHaOCHIz) 2O (CH2) '20- 7. 1 19. 2 32. 3 93. 8

EXAMPLE L111 50 mixture was neutralized with theoretical amounts of Into a pressure vessel of 2.5 l volume were charged 23 g of sodium (1 mol), 33 g of aluminum powder (of 95% purity, containing 5% aluminum oxide), 400 ml toluene and 9.2 g of NaAlH [0(Cl-I N(Cl-l equal to 16% by weight of the latter with respect to the amount of sodium and aluminum used. Hydrogen was introduced into the pressure vessel to establish a pressure of atmospheres. The pressure vessel was heated to a temperature of to C. and the pressure therein was kept at the level of 150 atmospheres. The reaction was finished after 4 hours and the pressure vessel cooled and emptied. The solid phase was extracted with tetrahydofuran which was used in a quantity of 200 milliliters per each 10 grams of NaAll-L, obtained. From the tetrahydofuran extract 50.1 g of NaAll-l was obtained subsequent to evaporation, i.e.,

92.6% of the theory.

sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. The solution was filtered, the benzene layer removed and 9.4 g of the compound Til;

NaA1Hz[O CHa-L may be used.

2s EXAMPLE LV Into a pressure vessel of 1.5 1 volume a solution of 67 g of NaAlH [O(CH OCH (0.33 mol.) in 500 ml of benzene was charged and a sealed glass ampul containg 27.1 1g of SiHCl (0.2 mol) and stool balls ofa diameter of 30 mm were inserted into the vessel. The pressure vessel was closed, flushed three times with nitr goen introduced at a pressure of atmospheres, and the nitrogen discharged. By a sudden rotation of the pressure vessel the ampul was broken. A spontaneous reaction took place and the pressure rose to 5 atmospheres. The contents of the pressure vessel were emptied into a gas holder and by analysis it was determined that 4.8 l (20C) of silane or silicon hydride SiH was obtained, i.e., 96% of the theory. The other compounds of the general formula NaAlH Q which are mentioned in Example LIV may also be used and will give similar results.

EXAMPLE LVI g of C l-1 SiCl (0.1 mol) in 150 ml benzene was carried out. The two solutions were added together over a period of 30 minutes, and thereafter the reaction mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes. In a conventional manner the compound of the formula C H Sll-l was isolated and 9.3 g of the said product obtained, i.e., 86% of the theory. Other compounds of the formula NsAlH,Q

may be used in a similar manner and with the same result.

EXAMPLES LX to LXll was rotated under heating to a temperature of 100C.

at which temperature the rotating vessel was kept for 2 hours. Upon cooling to 20C., the gas evolved was discharged into a gas receptacle, the volume of the gas determined and the latter identified by means of gas chromatography.

NaAlH,Q may be used in a similar manner and with the same result.

EXAMPLE LVII Under conditions identical to those of Example LV, the reaction of 21 g SiF.,(0.2 mol) with 90 g NaAlH [O(Cl-l OCl-l (0.44 mol) is 500 ml benzene 'was carried out, giving 4.85 l of silicon hydride SiH i.e., a yield of 97%. Other compounds of the formula NaAlHIQ4 may be used in a similar manner and ..-with1hesame re sult.

EXAMPLE LVllI Under conditions identical to those of Example LV, the reaction of 30 g CH SiCl (0.2 mol) with NaAlHziOCIb-LO J12 (0.33 mol) in 500 ml beniene was carried out. The reaction afforded 4.44 l of CH SiH i.e., 89% of theory.

Other compounds of the formula NaAlH,Q may be used in a similar manner and with the same result.

EXAMPLE LIX in the nppnrnnnr tichlt'tll ctl in l'lxnmplc V. conlnining a solution of 33.3 g 01' NnAlH lUCH CH OCH h (0.165 mol) in 200 m1 benzene the reaction with 21.1

EXAMPLES LX111 rd LXV Into the apparatus as described in Example V, a solution of NaAlHz 0CHz O in 300 ml p-xylene was charged (the amount used of the former compound in the individual Examples LX111 to LXV is given in Table 5) Subsequently, the mixture was refluxed under atmospheric pressure. To the refluxing solution was added dropwise within a period of .30 minutes a solution of an aryl halide in milliliters of p-xylene. The aryl halides used and the amounts thereof are also specified in Table 5 hereinafter. The reaction mixture was refluxed for an additional 2 hours. Upon cooling to 20C., 100 ml water was added, and subsequently, 100 ml of 20% hydrochloric acid. The organic layer was quantitatively separated and neutralized by shaking with.5 ml of a 40% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, introduced into a 1 liter measuring flask, and xylene was added up In the required level.

The product was identified. the yield ascertained by means of gas chrolmrtogrnphy.

TABLE Start lug compounds ill Aryl halide NtiAlUg in gram mol Product, hydrocarbon Yield, Example in g. 1 g. In g. mol in g. percent LXIII 30. 5 0.12 3 1 0. 2 Naphthalene, 24.8 96.8

LXIV- 30. 5 0. 12 13r 0.1 Denzene, 7.3 93- 5 LXVw 45. T 0, 18 113i 0. 1 Benzene, 7.2 9 2 Br- Br EXAMPLE LXVI A pressure vessel of 2.5 1 working volume was charged with 69 g metal sodium (3 mol), 28.4 g of aluminum powder of 90.1% purity (lmol), 114 g of NA- AlH of 89.8% purity lmol), one liter of a xylene so lution of 95 g NaAlH [OCH CH N(CH and 1.5 1 of steel balls of 5 mm diameter. The pressure vessel was closed. flushed thoroughly with hydrogen, evacuated and heated to a temperature of 185 to 190C. At this temperature, hydrogen was introduced into the vessel, and the partial pressure of hydrogen was kept in a range of between 0.45 to 0.55 atmosphere. When the reaction was finished and the consumption of hydrogen stopped, the pressure vessel was cooled, emptied, the balls removed and the suspension obtained was treated in the manner described in Example IV. The synthesis afforded 205 g of a slightly grayish matter containing 191 goof trisodium aluminum hexahydride which corresponds to a yield of 94%.

The addition of trisodium aluminum hexahydride to the reactionmixture prior to the actual synthesis is only of importance for the milling of aluminum which otherwise would not proceed. Another material may be also used for this purpose, any inert material, as for instance aluminum oxide will give thedesired result. The final product. however. is then contaminated with the inert material added.

As to the choice of the catalyst, the same will apply as stated in Example lV.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

I integer from 1 to 3 and O is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a. a tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, b. a tetrahydropyranyl alcohol, c. an ether alcohol having the formula Z oa in which R is alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl and w and z are each integers from 2 to 4,

d. a polyether alcohol having the formula HO(CH O(CH OR in which formula members w, z and R have the same significance as hereinbefore, or

e. an amino alcohol having the formula R"R"N(CH ),OH in which R" and R' each have the same significance as the R radical hereinbefore, or an alkoxyalkyl radical having the for mula RO(CH in which formula R and z have the same significanceas hereinbefore.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is substituted sodium aluminum hydride hav- 65 ing the formula NaAlH,Q in which x is l or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

3. A method as defined in claim I in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula l JaAlH, -Q in which i is l or 2 and O is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a tetrahydropyranyl alcohol.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlH Q in which x or 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from an ether alcohol having one of the formulae HO(CH OR and HOCH in which formula R and w and z have the same significance as in claim 68.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlH,Q in which x is 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a polyether alcohol having the formula HO(CH O(CI-1 ),,.OR in which formula R and w and z have the same significance as in claim 68. t

6. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlH Q in which x is 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from an amino alcohol having the formula R"R"N(CH OH in which formula R and R each have the same significance as the R radical in claim 68, or are each an alkoxyalkyl radical having the formula RO(CH in which formula R and z have the same significance as in claim 68.

-um-aluminum hydride 7. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the so dium aluminum hydride has the formula NaAlH in which R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, In is 2 or 3 and w is an integer from 2 to 4.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein the sodiumaluminum hydride is employed in solution in a hydrocarbon, the boiling point of which at atmospheric pressure is lower than the decomposition temperature of said substituted sodium-aluminum hydride.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride has the formula NaAlH [O(CH ),,,OR] wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m is 2 or 3.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is NaAlH [O(CH OCl-1 11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is used in solution in benzene, toluene or xylene.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is NaAl[O 011201120 omomdmo-Q] 4112.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodiis NaAl1-1 [O(CH ),,,NR] wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m is 2 or 3.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is NaAlH- 2l 2)2 a)2l2- 15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the solvent is benzene, toluene or xylene.

16. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the solvent is tetrahydrofuran. 

1. IN THE METHOD OF REDUCING KETONES, ESTERS, CARBOXYLIC ACID HALIDES, AND DIALKYLAMIDES TO ALCOHOLS AND AROMATIC NITRO COMPOUNDS TO AZO COMPOUNDS BY REACTION OF THE SAID COMPOUNTS IN AN ORGANIC SOLVENT WITH A REDUCING AGENT AT AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES EFFECTING THE SAID REDUCTION IN SOLUTION IN AN ORGANIC SOLVENT WITH A REDUCING AGENT THAT IS SOLUBLE IN THE SAID ORGANIC SOLVENT, THE SAID REDUCING AGENT BEING A SUBSTITUTED SODIUM ALUMINUM HYDRIDE HAVING THE FORMULA NAALHXQ4-X IN WHICH X IS AN INTEGER FROM 1 TO 3 AND Q IS AN ORGANIC RADICAL DERIVED BY THE REMOVAL OF AN ACTIVE HYDROGEN ATOM FROM A. A TETRAHYDROFURFURYL ALCOHOL, B. A TETRAHYDROPYRANYL ALCOHOL, C. AN ETHER ALCOHOL HAVING THE FORMULA
 2. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlHxQ4 x in which x is 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlHxQ4 x in which x is 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a tetrahydropyranyl alcohol.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlHxQ4 x in which x or 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from an ether alcohol having one of the formulae HO(CH2)zOR1 and
 5. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlHxQ4 x in which x is 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from a polyether alcohol having the formula HO(CH2)2O(CH2)wOR1 in which formula R1 and w and z have the same significance as in claim
 68. 6. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the reducing agent is a substituted sodium aluminum hydride having the formula NaAlHxQ4 x in which x is 1 or 2 and Q is an organic radical derived by the removal of an active hydrogen atom from an amino alcohol having the formula R''''R''''''N(CH2)zOH in which formula R'''' and R'''''' each have the same significance as the R1 radical in claim 68, or are each an alkoxyalkyl radical having the formula R1O(CH2)z in which formula R1 and z have the same significance as in claim
 68. 7. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the sodium aluminum hydride has the formula NaAlH2 in which R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m is 2 or 3 and w is an integer from 2 to
 4. 8. A method of claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is employed in solution in a hydrocarbon, the boiling point of which at atmospheric pressure is lower than the decomposition temperature of said substituted sodium-aluminum hydride.
 9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride has the formula NaAlH2(O(CH2)mOR)2, wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m is 2 or
 3. 10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is NaAlH2(O(CH2)2OCH3)2.
 11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is used in solution in benzene, toluene or xylene.
 12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is
 13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is NaAlH2(O(CH2)mNR)2, wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m is 2 or
 3. 14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the sodium-aluminum hydride is NaAlH2(O(CH2)2N(CH3)2)2.
 15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the solvent is benzene, toluene or xylene.
 16. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the solvent is tetrahydrofuran. 